Street paving a challenge for Monterey budget

BY JIM HERRIN

Posted 3/15/18

The Monterey Finance Committee began preliminary work on the 2018-19 fiscal year budget this week by noting that several city streets are in need of repair.Streets proposed for paving in the upcoming …

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Street paving a challenge for Monterey budget

The Monterey Finance Committee began preliminary work on the 2018-19 fiscal year budget this week by noting that several city streets are in need of repair.

Streets proposed for paving in the upcoming budget year — at an estimated cost of $300,000 — include East Railroad Avenue, Old Walton Road, Callahan Road, Peter Avenue, South Elm Street and New Avenue.

Wiggins said the streets are in dire need of attention, but noted that grants are no longer generally available to help cities with paving. He said Monterey would likely have to borrow money to accomplish all of the paving that's needed.

The mayor also discussed the need for a traffic signal on South Chestnut Street at the Dairy Queen.

Because Chestnut is considered a state road, Wiggins said he would have to notify the Tennessee Department of Transportation about the light, but said the town would be allowed to install the signal if they thought it was needed.

He also told the committee that stop signs have now been removed on Elm Street in an effort to assist the flow of traffic.

"We've already got a speeding problem," he said. "I knew that would happen."

Other budget items discussed by the committee included the potential purchase of a leaf vacuum for the street department and the replacement of three vehicles in the police department.

"We've been tracking the maintenance records for these cars, and they are regular visitors to the (city) garage," Wiggins said of the police vehicles. "Three of them are developing chronic illnesses."

In her budget proposal, cultural administrator Julie Bohannon said the potential addition of more parks in Monterey at Meadow Creek and Bee Rock could also lead to additional expenses for the city, including the need to hire a park ranger, but she suggested that those expenses would be offset by additional tourist dollars for the town.

Walker was somewhat skeptical.

"Tourists don't generally just drop off at city hall and make a donation," he said.

The committee also talked about what kind of raise to give to city employees, ultimately recommending a three-percent increase for most workers.

They put off making any other decisions until they can meet one on one with department heads.